Persevering in Faith

Ryan Lowery

Hebrews 3:3-19

While a hardened heart does not affect the Christian believer's salvation, it may cause them to miss out on God's gifts and joy. Hebrews 3 lists five ways to soften our hearts to God. 

The Power of Putting Others First

Ryan Lowery

Ephesians 3:13-21

While he is in the midst of his own difficult circumstances, Paul encourages the believers to endure hardship and give glory to God.

The Race

Jim Leffel

Hebrews 12:1-3

The author of Hebrews compares the journey of lifelong faithfulness to a race that we must be perseverant in. We can look to Jesus as our role model, but also to followers of God who came before us.

Follow Up: Growth, Persecution, and Judgment

Dennis McCallum

2 Thessalonians 1:1-10

God, in all His amazing wisdom, is able to use the suffering and persecution Christians receive, to grow us spiritually. He promises that those who persecute us will come under eternal judgment, if they refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus.

Inside Out

Jim Leffel

Jeremiah 37:1-38:20

As Jeremiah remains faithful to God in the face danger from those pursuing him, King Zedekiah struggles to make a decision to obey God or not. Contrasting the inner lives of Zedekiah and Jeremiah, we get a hint at why there is such a difference in their outer actions.

Halftime

Jim Leffel

Jeremiah 25:1-11

Jeremiah was able to persevere through a difficult life because he kept his eyes fixed on God's plan for him. Today, we can persevere through our own lives by placing our faith in God and seeking His vision for us.

Four Keys to Spiritual Progress

Gary DeLashmutt

Romans 5:3

While receiving Christ is an end to works-righteousness and alienation from God, it is the beginning of growth toward spiritual maturity. Four keys to spiritual maturity are allowing suffering to play a role, rejecting all forms of perfectionism, keep moving forward, and observing and imitating more mature Christians.

Spiritual Risiliency

Chris Risley

Romans 5:3

Scripture describes the Christian life as a race and a battle. In order to finish well, we must acquire spiritual toughness and resiliency. This workshop will include practical steps on developing your spiritual fortitude as well as discovering the connection between standing firm (toughness) and humility.

Global Persecution

Clive Calver

Ruth Calver

Romans 5:3

Dr. Calver and his wife Ruth have visited with many Christians who regularly face intense persecution for their faith, and instead of being defeated by it, find these Christians are more passionate about sharing their faith and their churches often flourish. Conversely Dr. Calver says a long-term absence of persecution often demonstrates that a church has sold out. While God never promises a lack of suffering, He does promise His presence in the midst of it, and uses the pain to make us into what we should be, closer to Him and more useful to Him.\r\n